“I think that Talisa will be an impact player for us and I expect she will compete at a high level from the moment she arrives on campus, “Espinosa said. “She will be helped by the fact that she is arriving on campus in time for the fall semester, which will allow her to get acclimated to the school and team.”

Merchiers joins Iowa State following an impressive prep career. She is ranked No. 90 among all players in Belgium, a ranking that includes professional players in the country. Merchiers is also the top-ranked player in her city of Geraardsbergen.

Merchiers captured the 2009 Belgium Championship and in 2010 was a recipient of the Geraardsbergen Sports Woman Award.